Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-06
eaca IL. Irelgul ana start i south. as We

reach the rrelgut ana start it south, as we
did: aud fire Freight train running south,
and Fulicris train running at full speed
would have produced frightful collision,
which could scarcely have been prevented;
for the freight man had been ;.duced to
set out by the representations OF Andrews,
and Fuller on his part probably believed
that Andrews was still running on slow
time and Lad not reached the station
above The stopping to lift this rail, a. it
turned out, was probably the greatest
mistake Andrews made. On the other
hand if the freight had waited for Fuller,
so great delay would have ensued that
the Oostenanla bridge, which we were
ROW very near. would have been in flames.
But the pursuing pair lad scarcely been
well breathed in this third foot race when
they heard the welcome whistle OF loco
motive. Fuller, who was ahead. stopped
in place where the view was clear. and
gave the signal Of danger; the freight was
checked up ~ quickly as possible, and
while Fuller told in a few words what Lad
happened and what he wanted, Murphy,
who had been distanced, came up, and they
spramg on boNtd and TOOK command.
With I'LL the power Of the Texas, which
was one OF the very best engines on the
road. and the best the pursuers had yet
obtained, they pushed backward toward
Adairsyille ami learned that Andrews
had left a few minutes before. Fuller
took his place on the last freight car, which
was now the front Of the train and directed
their mos eInents. Murphy was the
official superior Of all the engineers on the
road. He stood BY the lever to render
assistance when needed and all his orders
were clecrfHlly obeyed.
IL was not long till they were back at
the station, when Fuller jumped of, threw
The switch over to turn the freight cars
which were detached at the same time
and allowed to run with their own mo-
mentGm on the side track and then as
the hast one passed by, he changed the
switch back. sprang On the engine and
outran the cars which continued to move
parallel with him This was quick work.
They now had n comparatively small
GREY. but they were all armed with guns
and loaded on the tender and engine alone
Ii was true that the engine WIS reversed
but this. while il Is somewhat less handy,
does not diminish strength or speed. The
first question which confronted the pur
sIcrs was whether to risk running up to
Calhoun III he face OF the delayed passcn-
ger train. iney did not hesitate, as the
way had been made clear for them. 1t
was less than ten minutes since Andrews
had left, promising to run slowly and
carefully. ana If he kept his word, he
could be oyerhauled and inclosed between
the two trains before he could reach Cal
noun: and even if ne did not the danger
Of collision would he borne by the train
ahead and not by the following one. The
marvellous flight which Andrews had
made was not, Of course, dreamed of.
Had Andrews been able to persuade the
passenger conductor to push out, as he
did the fire .ht conductor, Fuller's and
Murphy's career would have ended.
These indomtable nieu now had an eX
celent engine and ordered full speed.
The whole distance of nine miles was
made in little more than ten minutes!
There was no obstruction of any kind, and
they trusted To The fact of being SO close
behind Andrews 10 assure them against
any lifted rail.